Eilert Ekwall (1877-1964) was a Swedish-born English linguist and philologist who is best known for his contributions to the field of English language studies and toponymy.
Ekwall was a professor at the University of Lund in Sweden and later at the University of Manchester in England. He specialized in the study of Old English and Scandinavian languages, as well as the etymology and geographical distribution of English place-names.
His seminal work, "The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names," published in 1936, remains widely used and respected in the field of toponymy. In this dictionary, Ekwall provides thorough definitions of thousands of English place-names, including their origins, linguistic components, and historical development.
Ekwall's expertise was not limited to toponymy. He also conducted significant research in the areas of Old English phonology and lexicography. His works on Old English dialects, such as "The Dialects of the North of England" and "Studies on the Phonology of Old English," helped advance the understanding of Old English language and dialect variations.
Overall, Eilert Ekwall's contributions to the study of English language, toponymy, and Old English have greatly impacted our knowledge and understanding of these subjects. His meticulous research, attention to detail, and comprehensive works continue to be highly regarded and extensively referenced by scholars and researchers in these fields today.
